I respectfully disagree with Eric on most points in his post. In my job we are constrained by time and other budgetary matters not to hire enough porters to carry our stuff into every site in the field, although I have clambered down enough talus slopes with sixty pounds on my back AFTER a twenty mile drive on what BLM calls roads. One of the benefits of 4WD is that it can be easier on road surfaces when you aren't spinning the tires, especially on steep slopes, where a low range can be really helpful.
David Baker, Ecologist Central Oregon Interagency Ecology Program Deschutes National Forest 1001 SW Em Kay Dr. Bend, OR 97702 (541) 383-5424
